US Filament manufacturers (was Re: [MakerBot] Re: 332 Replicator 2s left???)
248 views
Skip to first unread message
Ethan Dicks
Oct 25, 2012, 4:32:12 PM10/25/12
to make...@googlegroups.com
On Thu, Oct 25, 2012 at 3:32 PM, Big-E <rav...@charter.net> wrote:
> Not to derail this thread, but does anyone know of any US based filament
> manufacturers? I've found a couple that mostly do plastic welding supplies,
> but I could always do with more.
The two I know of are both near Akron, OH. New Image Plastics, and
Village Plastics. One or both has been used by MBI in the past. I
spoke to one of them several years ago (I forget which) about custom
colors, etc. They seemed easy enough to deal with but I never got
enough interest in my area for a group buy (custom colors are
possible, but you have to pay for a whole run of 25lbs or 50lbs, or
whatever their run size is).
If you've talked to plastic welding suppliers, I suspect you know
about one or both of them already.
-ethan
> Not to derail this thread, but does anyone know of any US based filament
> manufacturers? I've found a couple that mostly do plastic welding supplies,
> but I could always do with more.
The two I know of are both near Akron, OH. New Image Plastics, and
Village Plastics. One or both has been used by MBI in the past. I
spoke to one of them several years ago (I forget which) about custom
colors, etc. They seemed easy enough to deal with but I never got
enough interest in my area for a group buy (custom colors are
possible, but you have to pay for a whole run of 25lbs or 50lbs, or
whatever their run size is).
If you've talked to plastic welding suppliers, I suspect you know
about one or both of them already.
-ethan
Big-E
Oct 25, 2012, 9:00:45 PM10/25/12
to make...@googlegroups.com
Thanks for the heads up, Ethan.
I do believe I've heard about them. If I'm not mistaken, they can only do certain plastics like ABS and PVC. However they will extrude any plastic to whatever diameter if you provide them the plastic. It seems ironic that PLA, which is a corn-based plastic, isn't really made in America, which is the biggest producer of corn in the world. It makes little sense to groew the corn here, export it (or it's by-products) to another county, which turns it into plastic, extrudes it into filament, and then export back here.
If anyone else knows of any other domestic sources, I would like to hear about it. Canadian sources would also be good, since they're technically part of North America.
In the future, maybe some of us could get a group buy rolling. A local vendor would be more accessible for quality control and input from the end user too.
-Big E
I do believe I've heard about them. If I'm not mistaken, they can only do certain plastics like ABS and PVC. However they will extrude any plastic to whatever diameter if you provide them the plastic. It seems ironic that PLA, which is a corn-based plastic, isn't really made in America, which is the biggest producer of corn in the world. It makes little sense to groew the corn here, export it (or it's by-products) to another county, which turns it into plastic, extrudes it into filament, and then export back here.
If anyone else knows of any other domestic sources, I would like to hear about it. Canadian sources would also be good, since they're technically part of North America.
In the future, maybe some of us could get a group buy rolling. A local vendor would be more accessible for quality control and input from the end user too.
-Big E
Aaron Double
Oct 25, 2012, 9:04:35 PM10/25/12
to make...@googlegroups.com
If you are looking for a vendor for PLA, how about Natureworks?
Here is a link to their pdf on their filament.
Aaron Double
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MakerBot Operators" group.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/makerbot/-/kqAzJ835TZwJ.
To post to this group, send email to make...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to makerbot+u...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/makerbot?hl=en.
jd_oc
Oct 25, 2012, 9:29:44 PM10/25/12
to make...@googlegroups.com
Both Ultimachines and ProtoParadigm use Natureworks resin and hence are US made/grown filament. I have used both vendors with good success (not on a Makerbot though).
-Jonas
Big-E
Oct 25, 2012, 9:48:33 PM10/25/12
to make...@googlegroups.com
Awesome, I haven't heard of them yet. I'll add them to the list! Looks like their PLA is food-grade as well. Great for making tableware, dishes, and other such items.
Keep 'em coming, everyone!
Keep 'em coming, everyone!
Big-E
Oct 25, 2012, 9:57:11 PM10/25/12
to make...@googlegroups.com
jd,
Is there a reason you haven't had success with these vendors fillament on a Makerbot? is it a consistency issue? They both sell 1.75mm PLA. Or you just haven't tried them on a MakerBot yet?
Is there a reason you haven't had success with these vendors fillament on a Makerbot? is it a consistency issue? They both sell 1.75mm PLA. Or you just haven't tried them on a MakerBot yet?
Shawn
Oct 26, 2012, 1:48:33 AM10/26/12
to make...@googlegroups.com
Just a clarification, and please correct me if I'm wrong. PLA is *not*
corn based. It is starch based. You can get the starch from corn, but
also many other sources. The Diamond Age PLA out of New Zealand is
supposedly made from goats milk (and some claim it is superior because
of that).
A minor point I know, and a little aside from the main topic, but saying
PLA is "corn based" is not quite accurate.
corn based. It is starch based. You can get the starch from corn, but
also many other sources. The Diamond Age PLA out of New Zealand is
supposedly made from goats milk (and some claim it is superior because
of that).
A minor point I know, and a little aside from the main topic, but saying
PLA is "corn based" is not quite accurate.
JohnA.
Oct 26, 2012, 10:48:58 AM10/26/12
to make...@googlegroups.com
Ultimachine PLA works great in MakerBots - and Johnny is a good guy over there. It's actually the only PLA I've ever used.
JohnA.
JohnA.
Big-E
Oct 26, 2012, 12:09:59 PM10/26/12
to make...@googlegroups.com
That's good news, I've known about Ultimachine, but to find out that it's MakerBot freindly and they use US-sourced plastic is even better; I'll definitely be ordering filament from them for sure.
jd_oc
Oct 27, 2012, 4:11:13 PM10/27/12
to make...@googlegroups.com
Hi Big-E,
Sorry for the confusion. I don't have a Makerbot so I've never tried their filament on one. That's all I meant by my comment. I'm sure it works fine on a replicator.
Big-E
Oct 27, 2012, 6:11:12 PM10/27/12
to make...@googlegroups.com
Thanks for clearing up the confusion, and thanks to everyone who's given sources and suggestions so far!
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages